Current Traffic

Saturday 11 July 2020

Post 730 - Scandal - The Singles

Scandal formed in Adelaide in February 1976 and by the end of the year had signed a deal with the Mushroom label.Comprising four English migrants and a token Australian Aldo Civitico, the band’s stylish UK-centric sound drew on influences such as Supertramp, Bryan Ferry and David Bowie for inspiration.Mushroom issued Scandal’s debut single "Best Deal in Town" in March 1977, followed by "Harry" in August. The band enjoyed its only national chart success with a cover of the smooth soul/pop track "How Long "(originally by U.K. band Ace). Scandal’s version reached #23 in Australia in May 1978.Their self-titled debut album was also released in May and produced the band’s fourth single "She’s a Lady". It was to be the band’s final release and they broke up in December. Kerrison, Harriot and Watson formed a group called The Extractors but by August 1979 had revived the Scandal name for a new band with Adrian Dessent on guitar, Greg Trennery on bass and Nat de Palma on drums.The new line-up was not successful and Kerrison left the music industry while Dessent went on to work with Wendy and the Rocketts. By 1983, Watson had joined Sydney band, The Venetians. Here to download are all four singles released on Mushroom Records. Flac 

Post 729 - The Cliffmores/The Surprise Sisters - Singles Collection

The Cliffmores started singing in Woomera South Australia, and moved down to Adelaide after receiving rave reviews after appearing on Adelaide Tonight. They sang at all of the local clubs and dances, especially the Salisbury Youth Centre. They were backed by local musicians, some of whom went on to overseas success (Alan Tarney, Kevin Peek and Terry Britten to name just a few). After providing backing vocals on several local records they released their own singles, which were produced by David McKay. They moved to Sydney where they sang in the clubs in Kings Cross and then to England in 1969 after meeting Barry Gibb who suggested Robert Stigwood should manage them. In England, they became The Surprise Sisters. In the 70s David Bowie saw them performing at the Marquee Club in London and introduced them to Tony Visconti who produced their sole album for RCA. Their biggest hit was "La Booga Rooga" which was released in 1976. They disbanded in 1978 to pursue solo careers.
The Surprise Sisters released 9 singles between 1975/1977 and one LP only, one of the singles made it on the LP which makes the other A & B sides collectible. Members were Susan, Linda, Ellen and Patricia Sutcliffe. Here to download are the two Cliffmores singles from 1967/68 and the nine Surprise Sisters singles released in the U.K. Flac

Post 728 - Slim Dusty - Lights On The Hill - Redwing

This is the first recording of "Lights On The Hill" released in February 1972. I read somewhere a long time ago that Slim called this the Rock 'n' Roll version. A lot different than the 1975 version from the LP of the same name that's for sure. Joy McKean tells the fascinating story behind Lights On The Hill, She remembers that night in June 1971, leaving Tamworth for Warwick, and trucks coming over the hill blinding her with their high-beam.
"I realised I was at Devil's Pinch, a local name for the place where there is a drop down the mountain on one side of the narrow road," McKean said."I couldn't help wondering how long it would take for Slim to find me if I went over the edge."By the time she hit Warwick caravan park, she had the song in her head and Slim wanted to record it immediately. I remember the first time I heard this version was in 1972 when a guy that lived across from my Mum asked her when she went into town would she pick him up a copy of Slim Dusty's new single. I think he played it everyday at full volume for weeks but I must say I did like it and when the album of "Lights On The Hill" came out I was a little disappointed that the 1975 version was so different.
Now don't quote me but this single and it's B side "Lights On The Hill" b/w "Redwing" (DO-9836) I don't think has ever been released on an album or CD but not knowing all Slim's recordings I might be wrong, but I have done a bit of digging and I can't find this version on any Greatest hits ect ect. Flac